No Match

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said Rovers had a week off before the grading games started for the new season. "It will be a chance for a few players to recover from injury so we won't be doing any hard training this week" said Hall "we're mindful that even superb athletes like those in the Rovers squad need time out for other activities". Hall said he expected the team to be watching football on TV particularly as the A League was at the elimination phase. "I'm getting a new sofa delivered myself so that I can be more comfortable analysing the matches" said Hall "I don't think a lot of people appreciate how tough it is analysing football matches from the sofa". Hall said he would be watching Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) closely in the next few weeks. "I want to incorporate some of his moves into my techniques" said Hall "although I'm not sure if they'll work when slowed down to a tenth of the speed".

Smith Vindicated

Charlie Smith said today that whilst Havant and Waterlooville had lost their FA Cup fixture against Liverpool they had had a fighting spirit that Zephyr Rovers could well emulate. "They're a bunch of part-timers and twice took the lead against the mighty Liverpool" said Smith "it kind of reminds me of the spirit I used to show when I was at Rovers and that great goal I scored from my own goal line". Zephyr Rover Manager Steve Hall said he thought Smith was overrated in his own mind "Charlie secretly belives he is in the Pompey first team" said Hall "and that his football career is still in its prime". Hall said he wasn't sure when Smith had been in his proime but thought it was unlikely to have been in the last fifteen years.

Smith Still Rovers Player

Zephyr Rovers Chairman George Nash confessed today that Charlie Smith was technically still a Zephyr Rovers player as no other club would have him. "We tried to give him away to any Perth club that would have him" sadi Nash "but I think we might have to look at paying someone to take him of our hands". Smith meanwhile has suddenly become a fan of Portsmouth club Havant and Waterlooville who play Liverpool in the FA Cup this weekend. "I'd normally go for Liverpool but I've heard about six thousand are going up for the match from Portsmouth and I'll be right behind the non-league team". Nash pointed out that Smith had a history of backing losers.

Division 2

Zephyr Rover Chairman George Nash refused to speculate this afternoon on rumours that Rovers were heading for Division 2. "I know we have a vision of being the best team in Wellington by 30 June 2030" said Nash "but I think our supporters sometimes take a narrow view and expect us to win Division 1 by next week". Nash said that Zephyr Rovers would continue to take a longer term view than that the team would build towards 2030. "We're working on the basis that if we do this for long enough then we will eventually learn from our mistakes" said Nash "but the jury is out right now on whether the approach is working". Nash said the club was always interested in new quality players if the price was right. "We'll sign any world class striker if they don't want to be paid" said Nash "and we'll sign lesser quality strikers if they pay us".

Not Quite Infinity

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall (pictured) said whilst there were many aspects of the Rovers performance that were unsatisfactory, the fighting spirit shown by Rovers made the difference in a 5 - 5 draw today against Infinity. "Our defence has been hairy of late" said Hall "but we were 5 -3 down and came back to equalise and really should have won it". Hall said unavailability and injury had led to a constantly changing line up and this has not helped the Rovers in recent weeks. "I suspect me playing outfield is hampering the team" said Hall "I'm so busy catching my breath I don't have time to yell at anyone". Hall said his finger was still not right but was getting better all the time. "There will be another season at the Shed of Dreams I'm told" said Hall "so we'll have a few more shots at getting a win yet".

Final: Rovers 5 Infinity 5

When The Heat Dies Down

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall confessed this afternoon the last placing of Wellington Phoenix had taken the heat of him as he was now only the second most unsuccessful manager in town. "As far as I know Rikki Herbert is staying after finishing last so I reckon I'll be alright after going one better" suggested Hall "and I think we'll progress next season if we get a few professional players in the squad as I've been working with too many amateurs". Hall said he though the slump seemed to coincide with is injury and inability to go in goal. "Well even if the team slump didn't start then I felt I personally slumped from that point" said Hall "the finger still can't be bent properly and perhaps it has distracted me from my management duties". Hall said he expected the drop to Division 2 for next season. "We need to rebuild for sure and come back stronger than ever so we can win the division by 30 June 2030" exclaimed Hall.

In Police Custody

Rumours that Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall had spent last night in Police custody have proven to be true as he admitted today he had attended the concert with Sting and the band at Westpac Stadium. "I thought the Phoenix were playing and only found out when this women called Fergie started screeching into the microphone that it was in fact a concert" said Hall "I was just trying to escape from media scrutiny after Rovers failure to make the top eight". Hall said he'd had talk with the club and he would stay on next season unless Rikki Herbert was free for the job. "Phoenix will be trying not to finish last this weekend" said Hall "and at least I guided Rovers through to second last position so that counts for something". On his stint in Police custody Hall said "I wouldn't want to go back there because that Fergie wrecked my ear drums". Hall said fortunately The Police were in better from than their support artist.

Rovers Crash Out

Zephyr Rovers Chairmen George Nash said it was a sad day for the club after Rovers failed to make the top eight after a 9 - 4 loss to Mercer was followed by a win to Whites. "We looked safe with two weeks to go but we lost three on the trot so we have no excuses". Nash said the club would not be making any rash decisions with regard to the future of Manager Steve Hall. "We don't want to be hasty over our next move" said Nash "so we'll probably sack him tomorrow when we've had a chance to sleep on it". Hall could not be contacted for comment.

Finals: Rovers 4 Mercers 9

Down To The Wire

A victory by ten goals to nine by Ten Last Feet in their last match means they have moved ahead of the Rovers on points. "This means we have to either hope Whites don't win or pick up points ourselves against top team Mercer" said Rover Manager Steve Hall (pictured) "Ten Left Feet have suddenly found form and this means we are squarely back in danger of not making the top ten". Hall said that with several players out it would be a tough assignment to take points of the current leaders. "We may have to rely on Hoof Hearted and I'm afraid they're the worst team to have to rely on" said Hall "they might just throw the game so we drop out of the top eight" said Hall "we certainly won't have our destiny in our hands if we don't win". Hall said Rovers would accept whatever fate resulted from the matches. "We could always have a rebuilding phase" said Hall "they're quite fashionable". Rovers play at 11.30 at the Shed Of Dreams.

Sublime

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he was stunned by the second half performance of Manchester United against Newcastle this morning. "It would be a while since I've seen a team play like that and completely destroy the opposition with six goals in a half" said Hall "and I'll be recommending all our squad watch that before we play Mercer on Wednesday". Hall said the passing of the Man U front three was an example even for indoor footballers. "I suspect they get paid a bit more than we do" said Hall "but I see no reason why the quick passing and movement wouldn't work for us as long as we are fit". Hall said he had put some extra training in on the dance floor so was confident he could at least pogo a couple of times if needed. "I might try my luck in goal again" said Hall " we need something solid at the back".

Hall Misses Phoenix For Kings

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall admitted he'd not even watched the Wellington against Melbourne as he thought there would be little to learn from the match. "I went of to watch the Kings Of Leon at the TSB Arena and frankly that was a much better use of my time as they are simply brilliant" proclaimed Hall "although heavens knows what the cost of repairs to the floor will be after I jumped up and down on it for an hour and a half". Hall said the watching a band was better than watching the inevitable loss of the Phoenix. "I never gave them a chance against Melbourne and the 3 - 0 result says it all" said Hall "but I imagine Caleb Followill would have got a result in Wellington if he was looking for one". Hall said it was refreshing to get away from football for five minutes. "I'll be back watching Man United on Sunday" said Hall "I don't think you should take too long away form footy".

Rovers Fail To Fire

going forward although Zephyr Rovers proved no match for El Gayes in the first match of 2008 going down 9 - 4 at the Shed of Dreams. "I thought we were oktheir keeper had a good game and stopped a fair few shots" said Rovers Manager Steve Hall (pictured) "but we were awful defending and didn't cover their striker who just stood up front and knocked them in". Hall said it was a useful blow out but it wouldn't get any easier with leaders Mercer next week. "They were invincible until they suddenly got a draw this week with bottom placed Infinity" said Hall "and unfortunately it is all on for the last round as Ten Left Feet won as well". Hall said Rovers could still dip out on a top eight spot if results went against them in the last round. "We have to focus on out match and try and get at least a point of Mercer" said Hall "that will require some defensive organisation"

Final: Rovers 4 Gayes 9

White Returns Again

Injury prone Ben White will return to Rovers for this weeks match against El Gayes at the Shed of Dreams. "Ben is going to test his groin out again but will have a crack at goalkeeper for starters" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Hall "we don't want too much pressure on that groin of his as otherwise he might never get his leg over again". Hall said with Nash also having a groin problem he was wondering what his squad was up to during the evenings. "I know I'm watching footy on TV but these guys must be on another channel" said Hall "I hope they're not watching too many fitness videos, they can be dangerous to your health". Hall said Rovers had seven players for the match but wouldn't name who was starting until just before the match.

Team Welly Score Eight

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said he was impressed that Team Wellington could bounce back from a 5 - 1 loss to thrash Manawatu by 8 - 0. "I think this says something about mental fortitude and I'll now be expecting Rovers to take out Els Gayes on Wednesday" said Hall "unfortunately my finger is still a bot crook so it looks like my expert goalkeeper skills will be missing". Hall said it would be good to see Rovers back on the pitch after a few weeks away. "I've been playing a bit of backyard football between watching football on TV" said Hall "so I'm confident that I've kept my fitness levels where they were". Hall said he hadn't seen a tape of the Team Wellington win but would study it intently if he got hold of one. "I might even watch it if I get a copy" suggested Hall.

Phoenix Go Down Again

Zephyr Manager Steve Hall said this evening after weeks of watching football on the television it was good to get outside again and watch live football. "I thought I'd amble along to the last Phoenix match and on a beautiful evening I was joined by over fourteen thousand others" said Hall "but Phoenix still lost and have no hope now of a play-off spot". Hall said he knew what that felt like as a top four spot looked beyond Rovers at this point. "We have to make the plate play-off now as the bottom two teams drop out and we don't want to be one of them" said Hall "but I'm sure the boys will have been doing their shuttles since Christmas so we should all be fit".

Happy New Year

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said today that although the restart of the indoor season loomed he was still watching football on television to prepare for the first fixture. "My finger is gradually coming right although I'm told it could be a couple of months until the swelling goes down" said Hall "but it was good to see the Phoenix have a win even if Melbourne went on the rampage the following night knocking five past Central Coast". Hall said he was looking forward to getting down to the stadium on Friday night to watch a match live against Sydney. "Obviously I've been playing a bit of back yard footy but it will be good to get the season back underway" said Hall "although I'm sure I'll squeeze in a few more Premier League games in the coming days". Hall wished all Rovers supporters a happy new year.